Jacintha Saldanha believed to have committed suicide near King Edward VII's Hospital in London days after being duped into giving DJs a condition update on Kate's morning sickness

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were "deeply saddened" today after a nurse who was duped by hoaxers in a call to the hospital treating pregnant Kate apparently took her own life.

Jacintha Saldanha was found an address near the King Edward VII's Hospital in London this morning.

She had been the victim of two Australian radio DJs who impersonated the Queen and the Prince of Wales to dupe her into giving a condition update on Kate, who was suffering severe morning sickness at the private hospital.

In a statement St James's Palace said: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jacintha Saldanha.

"Their Royal Highnesses were looked after so wonderfully well at all times by everybody at King Edward VII Hospital, and their thoughts and prayers are with Jacintha Saldanha's family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time."

The hospital said in a statement: "We can confirm the tragic death of a member of our nursing staff, Jacintha Saldanha.

"Jacintha has worked at the King Edward VII's Hospital for more than four years. She was an excellent nurse and a well-respected and popular member of staff with all her colleagues.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leaving the King Edward VII hospital in London

"We can confirm that Jacintha was recently the victim of a hoax call to the hospital. The hospital has been supporting her at this difficult time."

Hospital chief executive John Lofthouse said: "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies at this time are with her family and friends. Everyone is shocked by the loss of a much-loved and valued colleague."

Lord Glenarthur, the hospital's chairman, said: "This is a tragic event. Jacintha was a first class nurse who cared diligently for hundreds of patients during her time with us. She will be greatly missed."

Scotland Yard said the death was not being treated as suspicious.

In a statement today, Scotland Yard said officers were called at around 9.35am this morning to a report of a woman found unconscious at an address in Weymouth Street, W1.

It said: "London Ambulance Service attended and the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Inquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances of the incident.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious at this stage."

The two presenters, Mel Greig and Michael Christian from 2Day FM, remarked during their show how their efforts were the "easiest prank call ever made", as they put on mock British accents they later described as "terrible".

Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Lofthouse condemned the hoax call, made in the early hours of that day, and said the hospital was considering legal action.

The presenters later apologised for their actions as did their radio station.

The station was expected to issue a statement about Ms Saldanha's death later today.

Dr Peter Carter, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: "This is tragic news, and the thoughts of all at the Royal College of Nursing go to the family of Jacintha Saldanha.

"It is deeply saddening that a simple human error due to a cruel hoax could lead to the death of a dedicated and caring member of the nursing profession."

The DJs made their call at around 5.30am on Tuesday and are thought to have been put through to Ms Saldanha, 46.

The nurse told them: "She's sleeping at the moment and she has had an uneventful night and sleep is good for her.

"She's been given some fluids to rehydrate her because she was quite dehydrated when she came in but she's stable at the moment."

The nurse added: "She hasn't had any retching with me since I've been on duty and she has been sleeping on and off. I think it's difficult sleeping in a strange bed as well."

The prank call was deeply embarrassing for the hospital, which is the medical institution of choice for the Royal Family.

Mr Lofthouse said on Tuesday: "I've received advice that what the Australian broadcasters did may well have broken the law. On the other hand they've apologised for it so we're going to have a long and careful think about what, if anything, we do."

The prank call was pre-recorded and vetted by lawyers before being broadcast to listeners in Sydney.

In their initial apology the two presenters said: "We were very surprised that our call was put through. We thought we'd be hung up on as soon as they heard our terrible accents.

"We're very sorry if we've caused any issues and we're glad to hear that Kate is doing well."

The royals have been the target of hoax callers before.

In 1995 Canadian DJ Pierre Brassard, pretending to be Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, was put through to the Queen.

The pair spoke for around 15 minutes and he even managed to elicit a promise that she would try to influence Quebec's referendum on proposals to break away from Canada.

Sydney-based 2Day FM is continuing to promote its prank call on air during what is the early hours of Saturday morning in the Australian city.

A few minutes ago it called it "the prank call the world is talking about" before playing clips of news programmes reporting on the original call, in the middle of a dance music programme.

A St James's Palace spokesman said: "At no point did the Palace complain to the hospital about the incident.

"On the contrary, we offered our full and heartfelt support to the nurses involved and hospital staff at all times."